The history of ballooning, both with hot air and gas, spans many centuries. It includes many firsts, including the first human flight, first flight across the English Channel, first flight in North America, and first aircraft related disaster.
This 1818 technical illustration shows early balloon designs.
A Kongming lantern, the oldest type of hot air balloon
The balloon built by Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers is attacked by terrified villagers in Gonesse.
The first manned hot-air balloon, designed by the Montgolfier brothers, takes off from the Bois de Boulogne, Paris, on November 21, 1783.
A sky lantern, also known as Kǒngmíng lantern, or Chinese lantern, is a small balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.
A modern Kǒngmíng lantern
Sky lanterns, Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art, Loire Valley, France
Yi Peng (Loi Krathong) festival in Tudongkasatan Lanna (Lanna Meditation Retreat Centre), Mae Jo Chiang Mai, Thailand
Making sky lanterns in Mexico